Gamecocks dealing with injuries to Shaw, others

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said that quarterback Connor Shaw was expected back at practice Tuesday after suffering a concussion in last Saturday's game at Arkansas, increasing his chances that he'll start against Florida on Saturday at noon in Columbia.

"We think Connor's going to be alright by the middle of the week," Spurrier said. "Clint Haggard, our trainer, gave him the (concussion) test to see how he was doing, and he's been doing very well.

"Our trainer said that he could pitch around a little bit (Tuesday), so he'll be out there. I don't know if he'll be in full gear or not but he'll be able to throw it around."

"Spur" Antonio Allen, who missed last week with a neck injury, participated in conditioning drills Monday and is expected to play against Florida.

Junior safety DeVonte Holloman also suffered from a concussion last game and "is still hurt." His status for Saturday is unknown.

Another junior safety, Greenwood product D.J. Swearinger, is dealing with a sprained foot that limited him in kick-off returns against Arkansas, but Spurrier thinks Swearinger will play this week.

Shaw's injury came when Jake Bequette sacked him in the fourth quarter of the Razorbacks' 44-28 victory in Fayetteville. Shaw didn't return to the game, and Spurrier said his staff turned the hit into the SEC office to be reviewed.

"It was hands to the face, whether or not it was helmet and hands, the head of officials will try to figure it out," Spurrier said. "But it must not have been, the head ref was standing right there watching the play. But we did turn it in."

Redshirt freshman Dylan Thompson would be Shaw's replacement if he can't go.

MATULIS TO GET ‘A LOOK'

When USC's offensive line struggled against Arkansas, the Gamecocks moved redshirt freshman A.J. Cann from left tackle to right guard in place of redshirt freshman Cody Gibson last Saturday. Spurrier said Tuesday that won't happen this week. While he hopes Gibson will play better, he'll also wants to give true freshman Mike Matulis another chance. He played against Kentucky when left tackle Rokevious Watkins went down with a minor injury. Matulis didn't last long and was benched after getting beat several times by defenders.

"Maybe we were thinking about redshirting him, but we've got too much at stake right now," said Spurrier, whose team needs a victory over Florida to have a chance to win the division. "I think we've got to get a good look at him this week."

RELATED TO SMOKIN' JOE

South Carolina junior defensive end Devin Taylor said he is related to boxing great Joe Frazier, who died Monday, on his mother's side. Like Frazier, a former heavyweight champion, Taylor grew up in Beaufort, but he never meet the legend known as "Smokin' Joe."

"I've heard a bunch of different stories and stuff growing up from my mom and aunts who knew him," Taylor said.